Hopkins should be ashamed of the way it bullied Dr. Carson

In what possible way is Dr. Ben Carson's belief that marriage is between a man and a woman "in conflict with [Johns Hopkins University's] core values of diversity, inclusion and respect," as Hopkins Dean of Medicine Dr. Paul B. Rothman put it in a letter to colleagues ("Hopkins chides Carson for gay-marriage remarks," April 6).

Has it never occurred to Dr. Rothman and the left-wing progressives that redefining marriage is offensive to the vast majority of us who believe that marriage is, as Webster's puts it, "the state of being unified to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship."

To call Dr. Carson "homophobic," as Sun columnist Dan Rodricks recently did, is not only incorrect but hypocritical. Homophobia is a hatred or fear of homosexuals. Just because a person opposes same-sex marriage does not mean he or she hates or fears gays, who are entitled to equal rights under the law. That's what civil unions are for.

And for Hopkins student Jordan White to say that it was "unfortunate that [his comments on gay marriage] are the legacy that Ben Carson is leaving us" is preposterous. Here is a man who has achieved success against improbable odds and who any school should be honored to have as a commencement speaker.

Dr. Carson represents the best of what America offers and embodies the values and work ethic that made this country great.

Universities used to encourage diverse opinions and open debate. Hopkins should be ashamed of the way it has bullied Dr. Carson and sought to suppress his faith-based opinions.